Shark Attack in Delaware 16 year old boy victim

16-year-old treated for gashes to left forearm. Opening of swimming areas will be delayed.

A 16-year-old Delmar boy said he was bitten by a shark Monday, prompting officials to delay Tuesday’s opening of swimming areas at Cape Henlopen State Park.

The boy, injured about 5 p.m., was treated for gashes to his left forearm at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes, officials said.

No information was available about the type or size of the shark, which the boy told officials released its bite and swam away after he batted it with his right arm, the state Division of Parks and Recreation said in a written statement.

Lifeguards who go on duty at 9 a.m. Tuesday and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control marine biologists will monitor the water for unusual activity before allowing swimming at the park’s main beach later in the morning.

The boy told park enforcement agents he was standing in about 5 feet of water when he felt something grab his arm.

Lifeguards treated his cuts, and the Lewes Fire Department took the boy by ambulance to the hospital, officials said.